2023 Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival

The Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival is organized by the Wallkill River Center for the Arts, a 501(c)3 non-profit art school and fine art gallery located in the historic Patchett House in Montgomery, NY. The festival is a juried exhibition open to all painters in all mediums. Artists may paint at locations of their choosing within the Hudson Valley map provided. The festival concludes with an exhibition and sale of paintings created during the event. A 30% commission on all artwork sold will be retained by the Wallkill River Center for the Arts.

Two participation options are available. Juried Artists (fee $50, or $40 with early bird discount) compete for prizes and must be selected by jury. Selected juried artists receive a welcome bag, map of painting sites, participation in a workshop with Andrew Lattimore, entry into the Quick Draw Competition, and entry to the Juror of Awards Demonstration. Juried artists may submit up to two paintings for display in the gallery and online sale, with eligibility for awards. The Painter's Pass (fee $50, or $40 with early bird discount) guarantees participation without jury selection and includes the same benefits except artists are not eligible for main gallery exhibit prizes. Painter's Pass artists may submit one piece for the online exhibit. All artwork must be created "en plein air" during the event, with a maximum canvas or paper size of 18"x24". Artwork must be framed with wire on the back and bear an official stamp certifying it was created during the festival.

Award categories for juried artists include First Place ($1,000), Second Place ($750), Third Place ($500), Best Audubon Site Painting, Best BashaKill Painting, Best Goshen Painting, Best Nocturne, and Artists' Choice. Quick Draw awards are available to both juried artists and Painter's Pass artists. Jury notifications will be emailed by August 14, with invited artists required to accept by August 31. Festival week runs October 9-14, with check-in and canvas stamping on October 9, optional group paintouts throughout the week, a workshop and demonstration by Andrew Lattimore on October 12, and the exhibit opening and reception on October 14. Artwork pickup is January 5-7.